GWA Group New Zealand Commences Low Lead Transition

The industry has been advised through the New Zealand Building Code that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is amending Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 to limit the maximum allowable content of lead permitted in plumbing products. The amended document will limit the maximum lead content of any product that contains copper alloys, intended for use in contact with potable water for human consumption, to 0.25%. This includes products such as pipe fittings, valves, taps, mixers, water heaters, and water meters. The new requirements will come into effect from 1st September 2025, after which date affected plumbing products that do not comply will be banned from installation.

GWA Group is committed to leading the market in Low Lead transition to ensure we continue to offer the best performing tapware for New Zealand consumers. As such, we will commence the transition of our tapware to Low Lead material from February 2024. From February 2024 a small number of non-Low Lead SKUs will run out progressively each month and will be replaced with their Low Lead equivalents. This process will continue up until the transition deadline while we deplete stock of Non-Low Lead tapware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the standard for tapware changing?

International research bodies have discovered elevated lead levels in drinking water which has been attributed to the deterioration of copper alloys in plumbing materials. This has led to some government authorities mandating limits on the percentage of allowable lead content in Copper alloys in plumbing materials. The USA, Canada and parts of Europe have already been through this change. Australia is also undertaking the transition. While the recorded lead content was very small, the World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that there is no safe level of lead in drinking water and therefore the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) took the decision to implement Lead content limits on New Zealand plumbing products from September 2025

Why is there are delay in the implementation of the new requirements?

Copper Alloys are one of the most prolific materials in the plumbing industry and a change to this material not only requires sourcing new raw material but reworking of manufacturing equipment and tooling as well as exhaustion of a large stock holdings of non-Low Lead raw material and products. A three-year transition period was established to allow manufactures, importers and suppliers sufficient time to plan and prepare for the change.

Where can I find more information on this change?

More information on the Low Lead transition in New Zealand can be found on the Building Performance page published by The Ministry of Business, Innovations and Employments.

2022 Building Code update | Building Performance

What ranges of tapware will be impacted by this change?

This new standard will impact any plumbing product that contains copper alloy and is in contact with drinking water.

Exemptions

Shower heads, Shower Mixers and Bath Fillers are exempt from the Low Lead requirements. These products will not change.

How can I identify Low Lead tapware?

Tapware conforming to the new Low Lead requirements will have the same code as their non-Low Lead equivalents but will have an “F” added to the end.

Low Lead tapware will be identified with “LF” in their description.

Low Lead tapware will be stamped with “Lead Free” on the surface for easy identification.

When will all GWA tapware meet this Low Lead criteria?

All impacted Caroma products that come into contact with drinking water will meet the Low Lead requirements by 1 September 2025, however, we will continue to evolve all our tapware collections ahead of this deadline. Be sure to bookmark http://www.specify.caroma.co.nz for our latest products and Low Lead tapware ranges.